US20200324905A1 - Passenger seat with support structure including offset struts - Google Patents
Passenger seat with support structure including offset struts Download PDFInfo
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- US20200324905A1 US20200324905A1 US16/955,956 US201816955956A US2020324905A1 US 20200324905 A1 US20200324905 A1 US 20200324905A1 US 201816955956 A US201816955956 A US 201816955956A US 2020324905 A1 US2020324905 A1 US 2020324905A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- pan frame
- seat pan
- support
- passenger seat
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
- B64D11/0648—Lower frame constructions
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
- B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
- B60N2/07—Slide construction
- B60N2/0702—Slide construction characterised by its cross-section
- B60N2/0717—Rounded, e.g. circular
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
- B60N2/14—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
- B60N2/16—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable
- B60N2/18—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other
- B60N2/1807—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other characterised by the cinematic
- B60N2/181—Rods
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
- B60N2/16—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable
- B60N2/18—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other
- B60N2/1807—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other characterised by the cinematic
- B60N2/1835—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other characterised by the cinematic pivoting about an axis located in the front
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
- B60N2/16—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable
- B60N2/18—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other
- B60N2/1885—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable height-adjustable the front or the rear portion of the seat being adjustable, e.g. independently of each other with weight compensating means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/22—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/22—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable
- B60N2/2222—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable the back-rest having two or more parts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/50—Seat suspension devices
- B60N2/502—Seat suspension devices attached to the base of the seat
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/50—Seat suspension devices
- B60N2/506—Seat guided by rods
- B60N2/507—Parallelogram-like structure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
- B60N2/995—Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
- B64D11/0639—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with features for adjustment or converting of seats
- B64D11/064—Adjustable inclination or position of seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
- B64D11/0639—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats with features for adjustment or converting of seats
- B64D11/0643—Adjustable foot or leg rests
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
- B64D11/06—Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats
- B64D11/0696—Means for fastening seats to floors, e.g. to floor rails
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T50/00—Aeronautics or air transport
- Y02T50/40—Weight reduction
Definitions
- the application relates generally to aircraft passenger seats and, more particularly, to support structures for such seats.
- Aircraft passenger seats are typically supported by relatively bulky bases and support structures that are designed from a two-dimensional approach: for example, the support structure is designed upon consideration of load paths in a central plane, then offset on each side to define side supports connected to the seat pan frame, and the side supports are interconnected by perpendicular support members. Accordingly, the footprint of the seat corresponds to or is similar to the dimensions of the seat pan.
- the occupant of the seat leans forward, for example to work or eat at a table, the lack of available leg room can cause discomfort and lead for example to back pain.
- a passenger seat for an aircraft comprising: a bottom support configured to be connected to a floor of the aircraft; a seat pan frame; and a support structure interconnecting the seat pan frame to the bottom support, the support structure including a front support member pivotally connected to a front end of the seat pan frame, the front support member including a respective strut on each side of the seat pan frame, each respective strut having a bottom end rigidly connected to the bottom support and an opposed top end located under the seat pan frame, the bottom end being inwardly, downwardly and rearwardly offset with respect to the top end.
- a passenger seat for an aircraft comprising: a fixed portion configured to be connected to a floor of the aircraft, the fixed portion defining a footprint of the seat on a surface of the floor; a movable connection assembly engaged to the fixed portion and movable with respect thereto; a seat pan frame; and a support structure interconnecting the seat pan frame to the movable connection assembly, the support structure including a front support member pivotally connected to a front end of the seat pan frame, the front support member including a respective strut on each side of the seat pan frame, each respective strut having a bottom end connected to the movable connection assembly and an opposed top end located under the seat pan frame, the bottom end being inwardly, downwardly and rearwardly offset with respect to the top end.
- the front support member of the passenger seats described above may further include a respective leg on each side of the seat pan frame, each respective leg having a top end pivotally connected to the seat pan frame and a bottom end rigidly connected to the bottom support or to the movable connection assembly, and wherein on each side of the seat pan frame the top end of the respective strut is rigidly connected to the respective leg, the respective strut extending inwardly from the respective leg.
- a seat may include any one or any suitable combination of the following:
- the passenger seats described above may include any one or any suitable combination of the following:
- a method of supporting a seat pan frame of a passenger seat above a floor of an aircraft comprising: connecting a bottom support of the seat to the floor; and connecting the seat pan frame to the bottom support with a support structure including pivotally connecting a front end of the seat pan frame with a front support member of the support structure, the front support member including struts rigidly connected to the bottom support and each strut extending simultaneously upwardly, outwardly and frontwardly from the bottom support.
- the method further comprises pivotally connecting the seat pan frame to a backrest frame, pivotally connecting the backrest frame to a support arm, and pivotally connecting the support arm to the bottom support.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic tridimensional view of an aircraft
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the a seat which can be used in an aircraft such as shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with a particular embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic tridimensional view of the seat of FIG. 2 in accordance with a particular embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the seat of FIG. 3 , including a footrest shown in various positions.
- the aircraft 1 has a fuselage 2 having a fore end at which a cockpit is located, and an aft end supporting a tail assembly, with the cabin generally located between the cockpit and the tail assembly.
- the tail assembly comprises a vertical stabilizer 3 with a rudder, and horizontal stabilizers 4 with elevators.
- the tail assembly has a fuselage-mounted tail, but other configurations may also be used for the aircraft 1 , such as cruciform, T-tail, etc.
- Wings 5 project laterally from the fuselage.
- the aircraft 1 has engines 6 supported by the wings 5 , although the engines 6 could also be mounted to the fuselage 2 .
- the aircraft 1 is shown as a jet-engine aircraft, but may also be a propeller aircraft. It is also understood that although FIG. 1 shows a commercial aircraft, the aircraft 1 may alternately be any other type of aircraft, including, but not limited to, a business aircraft or a private aircraft.
- a passenger seat 10 in accordance with a particular embodiment is shown.
- the passenger seat 10 is configured to be used, for example, in the cabin of an aircraft 1 such as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the seat 10 is mounted to the floor structure 7 in order to position an occupant of the seat 10 in an aft-facing direction.
- aft-facing it is understood that the seat 10 is mounted in the fuselage 2 such that the front end of the seat 10 is oriented toward the aft end of the aircraft 1 which supports the tail assembly.
- the seat 10 is mounted in the fuselage 2 such that the front end of the seat 10 is oriented toward the fore end of the aircraft 1 at which the cockpit is located.
- the passenger seat 10 could alternately be any other suitable type of aircraft seat, or be used in any other suitable type of vehicle.
- the seat 10 generally includes a bottom support 12 configured to be connected to a floor 7 of the aircraft, for example to floor beams interconnected to the fuselage 2 , a seat pan frame 14 supporting a seat pan (not shown), and a backrest frame 16 supporting a backrest (not shown).
- the bottom support 12 defines a footprint F of the seat 10 along a surface of the floor 7 , and includes a fixed portion 9 configured to be connected to the floor 7 and a movable connection assembly 11 engaged to the fixed portion 9 and movable with respect thereto.
- the fixed portion 9 includes rails attached to the floor structure 7
- the movable connection assembly 11 is slidingly engaged to the rails and includes a swivel assembly 8 .
- the swivel assembly 8 includes a first portion 8 a slidable with respect to the fixed portion 9 and configured to have a fixed orientation with respect to the floor and a second portion 8 b rotatable relative to the first portion 8 a .
- the second portion 8 b extends forwardly from the first portion 8 a so as to be supported in a cantilevered manner from the first portion 8 a .
- the seat pan frame 14 and backrest frame 16 are connected to the bottom support 12 , and more particularly in the embodiment shown to the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 , by a support structure 15 which is described in greater detail below.
- the seat pan frame 14 is pivotable via the swivel assembly 8 from a neutral position (as shown), and is slidable via the movable connection assembly 11 between a forwardmost position and a rearwardmost position (as shown).
- the neutral, rearwardmost position corresponds to the TTOL position.
- the seat 10 corresponds to or is similar to the seat described in U.S. provisional application No. 62/608,717 filed Dec. 21, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein. It is however understood that the configuration of the bottom support 12 shown here is exemplary only and that any other suitable type of bottom support may alternately be used, including, but not limited to, bottom supports including pivoting attachments, sliding attachments, and fixed attachments.
- the seat pan and backrest may include any material suitable for providing appropriate support and comfort to the occupant, including, but not limited to, suitable cushioning materials which will not be further described herein.
- the support structure 15 and interconnection between the seat pan frame 14 and backrest frame 16 allow for the seat 10 to be selectively configurable between the TTOL configuration (shown) and a reclined configuration (not shown).
- the backrest frame 16 has an upper backrest member 16 a supporting the backrest, and a lower backrest member 16 b extending downwardly from a bottom end of the upper backrest member 16 a .
- the upper and lower backrest members 16 a , 16 b are pivotally interconnected by a selectively lockable pivot connection 18 , e.g. a selectively lockable revolute joint.
- a selectively lockable pivot connection 18 e.g. a selectively lockable revolute joint.
- the term “revolute joint” is intended to designate a pivot connection between two members which allows relative pivoting motion between the two members about an axis of rotation without allowing relative translation between the two members, i.e. the axis of rotation has a fixed location with respect to each of the two members.
- revolute joints include, but are not limited to, a hinge joint, a pin joint, and a folding joint.
- the pivot connection 18 between the upper and lower backrest members 16 a , 16 b has a locked configuration where a relative pivoting motion between the upper and lower backrest members 16 a , 16 b is prevented and an unlocked configuration where the relative pivoting motion between the upper and lower backrest members 16 a , 16 b is allowed.
- the pivot connection 18 may include, for example, a lock based on a spring-loaded plunger mechanism; any other suitable mechanism may alternately be used.
- the upper and lower backrest members 16 a , 16 b are non-parallel when in the locked configuration. It is understood that in an alternate embodiment, the upper and lower backrest members 16 a , 16 b may be rigidly interconnected.
- the backrest frame 16 supports a headrest 20 which is slidingly engaged to a top of the upper backrest member 16 a .
- the headrest 20 may include a pivotable portion 20 a allowing for further adjustment of the position of the headrest 20 . It is understood that the headrest configuration shown is exemplary only, and that any other suitable headrest configuration may alternately be used; alternately, the adjustable headrest may be omitted.
- the rear end of the seat pan frame 14 is pivotally connected to the lower backrest member 16 b by a pivot connection 30 , which in the embodiment shown is defined by another revolute joint.
- the pivot connection 30 between the seat pan frame 14 and the lower backrest member 16 b is offset from the pivot connection 18 between the backrest members 16 a , 16 b.
- the support structure 15 includes a biasing and/or damping member, for example a gas spring 32 or any suitable type of linear actuator located under the seat pan frame 14 .
- the gas spring 32 has one end pivotally connected to the lower backrest member 16 b and to the rear end of the seat pan frame 14 at their pivot connection 30 .
- the lower backrest member 16 b includes two laterally spaced interconnected portions 16 b ′ with the rear end of the seat pan frame 14 extending therebetween.
- a rod 34 defines the revolute joint of the pivot connection 30 between the lower backrest member portions 16 b ′ and the rear end of the seat pan frame 14 , and the end of the gas spring 32 is pivotally engaged to a central portion of the rod 34 .
- the opposed end of the gas spring 32 is pivotally connected to the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 by a pivot connection 36 , which in the embodiment shown is also defined as a revolute joint.
- the gas spring 32 is connected toward the front of the swivel assembly 8 , for example near a front extremity of the second portion 8 b at a location forwardly offset from the engagement between the first and second portions 8 a , 8 b .
- the connection 36 of the gas spring 32 with the swivel assembly 8 remains forward of its connection 30 with the lower backrest member 16 b and seat pan frame 14 throughout the motion of backrest frame 16 and seat pan frame 14 .
- Other configurations are of course possible.
- the support structure 15 further includes a support arm 24 interconnecting the backrest frame 16 to the bottom support 12 .
- the support arm 24 has one end pivotally connected to the lower backrest member 16 b by a pivot connection 28 defined by another revolute joint.
- the pivot connection 30 of the lower backrest member 16 b with the seat pan frame 14 is located intermediate the pivot connections 18 , 28 of the lower backrest member 16 b with the upper backrest member 16 a and with the support arm 24 .
- the support arm 24 has an inverted U shape defined by a transverse upper member from which extend two laterally spaced rods 24 a .
- the pivot connection 28 between the support arm 24 and the lower backrest member 16 b is defined by separate pivots interconnecting the end of each of the lower backrest member portions 16 b ′ to the respective one of the rods 24 a , for example adjacent the transverse member.
- the rods 24 a of the support arm 24 each have an end opposed to the transverse member, and connected to the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 via another pivot connection 26 , which in the embodiment shown is also defined as a revolute joint.
- the pivot connection 26 between the support arm 24 and the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 is located toward the rear of the swivel assembly 8 , for example adjacent to or in alignment with the engagement between the first and second portions 8 a , 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 .
- a frontmost portion of the support structure 15 is defined by a front support member 38 .
- the front support member 38 has a top end connected to the front end of the seat pan frame 14 via a pivot connection 22 , which in the embodiment shown is also defined by a revolute joint.
- the front support member 38 has an opposed bottom end connected to the bottom support 12 , more particularly to the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 , forwardly of the pivot connection 26 between the support arm 24 and the swivel assembly 8 .
- the connection between the front support member 38 and the bottom support 12 is a rigid connection, i.e. allowing no relative motion between the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 and the front support member 38 .
- the front support member 38 includes a leg 40 on each side of the seat pan frame 14 .
- the legs 40 each have a top end 40 t pivotally connected to the front end of the seat pan frame by the pivot connection 22 defined for example by a rod 42 .
- the front end of the seat pan frame 14 is received between the two legs 40 which extend in parallel side planes, and which are parallel to each other; alternately, the legs 40 may be non-parallel.
- Each leg 40 has a bottom end 40 b rigidly connected to the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 , for example at a location slightly forward of the engagement between the portions 8 a , 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 .
- each leg 40 includes a recessed portion 40 r having a thickness smaller than that of the remainder of the leg 40 , such as to define for example an I-beam type cross-section at and around the recessed portion 40 r ; such a configuration may allow for example to reduce an overall weight of the seat 10 .
- Other configurations are also possible.
- the front support member 38 also includes a strut 44 on each side of the seat pan frame 14 .
- Each strut 44 has a bottom end 44 b rigidly connected to the second portion 8 b of the swivel assembly 8 , for example forwardly of the bottom ends 40 b of the legs 40 .
- Each strut 44 also has an opposed top end 44 t located under the seat pan frame 14 and rigidly connected to a respective one of the legs 40 , downwardly of the pivot connection 22 . It can be seen that the bottom end 44 b of each strut 44 is inwardly, downwardly and rearwardly offset with respect to its top end 44 t .
- the struts 44 extend simultaneously upwardly, outwardly and frontwardly from the bottom support 12 to the respective leg 40 .
- the struts 44 are thus not parallel to each other, and the distance between the bottom ends 44 b of the struts 44 is smaller than the distance between the bottom ends 40 b of the legs 40 .
- the front support member 38 also includes a transverse rod 46 extending perpendicularly to the legs 40 and interconnecting the top ends 44 t of the struts 44 .
- the transverse rod 46 is located under the seat pan frame 14 and rearwardly offset from the front end of the seat pan frame 14 . It is understood that alternately, the transverse rod 46 may be replaced by any other suitable type of transverse connection including, but not limited to, a beam, truss or machined part.
- the transverse connection may be located at any other suitable location, including, but not limited to, anywhere between a center of the struts 44 and their top end 44 t.
- the orientation of the struts 44 allows for the support structure 15 , and more particularly the front support member 38 , to have a truss architecture; the struts 44 extend at a non-zero angle with respect to parallel vertical planes aligned with the sides of the seat pan frame 14 (vertical planes parallel to the plane of FIGS. 2 and 4 ), to the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of the seat pan frame 14 (see FIG. 4 ), and to an horizontal plane (plane parallel to the floor 7 ).
- this allows for the support structure 15 to have sufficient strength so that the bottom support 12 of the seat 10 can have a footprint F which is reduced when compared to the dimensions of the seat pan frame 14 , which may allow space-savings and weight-savings for the seat 10 .
- the reduced footprint F allows for more volume for the occupant's feet, such as for example an empty space under the front of the seat pan frame 14 , as described in more detail further below.
- the truss architecture defines an optimized path for load transfer. This is in contrast with prior seat designs where the load path and geometry were considered and designed in a two-dimensional manner, i.e. flat on the centerline of the seat, offset in both directions from the centerline so the seat pan and backrest could be supported, and then linked together with cross beams perpendicular to the side structures.
- the angled struts 44 allow for the front support member 38 to work in compression or in tension, significantly reducing or substantially eliminating shear loads and bending moments. This may allow for the support structure 15 to bear stronger loads for a same amount of material when compared to traditional, “two-dimensional” designs.
- the front support member 38 and remainder of the support structure 15 are sized and oriented by taking into consideration a desired empty space under the front of the seat pan 14 and the direction and amplitude of the various loads on the seat during use.
- the configuration of the front support member 38 shown is exemplary only, and that other configurations are possible; for example, the legs 40 may have a different configuration or be replaced by any other structure providing a suitable connection between the struts 44 and the front end of the seat pan frame 14 .
- the configuration of the support structure 15 with the top end of the front support member 38 (e.g. top end 40 t of the legs 40 ) forwardly offset from its bottom end (e.g. bottom end 40 b , 44 b of the struts 44 and/or legs 40 ) allows for the front end of the seat pan frame 14 to be forwardly offset from the front end 12 f of the bottom support 12 .
- an empty space E is defined between the seat pan frame 14 and the floor 7 ; the empty space E is defined across a width of the seat 10 , forwardly of the support structure 15 (e.g.
- the space E is defined as “empty” because no element of the seat 10 extends in it; at any height from the floor, the rear border of the empty space E is defined by the forwardmost element of the seat at that height.
- the empty space E under the front end of the seat pan frame 14 and defined across the width of the seat allows for leg room under the seat 10 for the occupant leaning forward in the seat 10 , which may improve comfort and for example reduce the risk of back pain.
- some prior seats have space under the seat pan frame that does not extend across the width of the seat but rather between structure forming the sides of the seats (e.g. legs); such structure extending on each side of and bordering the space may impede free movement of the occupant's legs under the seat.
- the empty space E is defined under the seat pan frame 14 at least when the seat is in the neutral position, i.e. with the front of the seat pan frame 14 having the same orientation as the front of the bottom support 12 , which in a particular embodiment corresponds to the TTOL configuration.
- the front end of the seat pan frame 14 remains forwardly offset from the front end of the bottom support 12 in the rearwardmost position of the seat pan frame 14 , so that the empty space E is present in the rearwardmost position, which in a particular embodiment corresponds to the TTOL configuration. Accordingly, the empty space E under the front end of the seat pan frame 14 is present and the corresponding leg room under the seat pan is available for the occupant in the TTOL configuration.
- the seat 10 includes a footrest.
- the footrest 50 is attached to the remainder of the seat 10 so that a first end 50 a of the footrest 50 is adjacent the front end of the seat pan frame 14 , and the footrest 50 is pivotable about a pivot defined at or in proximity of that first end 50 a .
- the first end 50 a may be pivotally connected to the front end of the seat pan frame 14 via a revolute joint.
- Other configurations are also possible.
- the opposed second end 50 b of the footrest 50 is spaced from the front end of the seat pan frame 14 .
- the second end 50 b of the footrest 50 is located forwardly of the front end of the seat pan frame 14 .
- the second end 50 b is located under the seat pan frame 14 and aft of the first end 50 a , i.e. the footrest 50 is folded so as to be partially or completely contained behind the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of the seat pan frame 14 .
- the empty space E is thus defined forwardly of and under the footrest 50 R in the retracted configuration, so that the occupant of the seat 10 has leg room under the front end of the seat 10 despite the presence of the retracted footrest 50 R.
- the retracted footrest 50 R extends at an angle ⁇ of more than 10 degrees with respect to the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of the seat pan frame 14 ; in a particular embodiment, the angle ⁇ of retracted footrest 50 R is about 45 degrees with respect to the vertical plane V. Other values are also possible.
- a length L E of the empty space E defined along the surface of the floor 7 from the front of the retracted footrest 50 R to the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of the seat pan frame 14 when the seat is in its rearwardmost (TTOL) position corresponds to at least 25%, for example from 25% to 50%, of a length L F of the seat pan frame and/or of a length L S of the seat pan (e.g. cushion) supported by the seat pan frame 14 .
- Other values are also possible.
- supporting the seat pan frame 14 includes connecting the bottom support 12 to the floor 7 , and connecting the seat pan frame 14 to the bottom support 12 with the support structure 15 including pivotally connecting the front end of the seat pan frame 14 with the front support member 38 , where the front support member 38 includes the struts 44 rigidly connected to the bottom support 12 and each extending simultaneously upwardly, outwardly and frontwardly from the bottom support 12 .
- supporting the seat pan frame 14 also includes pivotally connecting the seat pan frame 14 to the backrest frame 16 , pivotally connecting the backrest frame 16 to the support arm 24 , and pivotally connecting the support arm 24 to the bottom support 12 .
- leg room is provided for the occupant of the seat 10 by connecting the seat pan frame 14 to the bottom support 12 with the support structure 15 so that the front end of the seat pan frame 14 is forwardly offset from the front end of the bottom support 12 .
- This includes connecting the frontmost portion of the support structure 15 to the front end of the seat pan frame 14 at a first location and to the bottom support 12 at a second location rearwardly offset from the first location, such that the empty space E is defined between the seat pan frame 14 and the floor 7 , forwardly of the support structure 15 , forwardly of the bottom support 12 , and rearwardly of the front end of the seat pan frame 14 .
- a footrest 50 is provided and retracted under the seat pan frame 14 so that the empty space E is defined forwardly of the retracted footrest 50 R.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
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- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This International PCT Patent Application relies for priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 62/608,717 filed on Dec. 21, 2017 and 62/639,108 filed on Mar. 6, 2018, the entire content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The application relates generally to aircraft passenger seats and, more particularly, to support structures for such seats.
- Aircraft passenger seats are typically supported by relatively bulky bases and support structures that are designed from a two-dimensional approach: for example, the support structure is designed upon consideration of load paths in a central plane, then offset on each side to define side supports connected to the seat pan frame, and the side supports are interconnected by perpendicular support members. Accordingly, the footprint of the seat corresponds to or is similar to the dimensions of the seat pan. When the occupant of the seat leans forward, for example to work or eat at a table, the lack of available leg room can cause discomfort and lead for example to back pain.
- In one aspect, there is provided a passenger seat for an aircraft, the seat comprising: a bottom support configured to be connected to a floor of the aircraft; a seat pan frame; and a support structure interconnecting the seat pan frame to the bottom support, the support structure including a front support member pivotally connected to a front end of the seat pan frame, the front support member including a respective strut on each side of the seat pan frame, each respective strut having a bottom end rigidly connected to the bottom support and an opposed top end located under the seat pan frame, the bottom end being inwardly, downwardly and rearwardly offset with respect to the top end.
- In another aspect, there is provided a passenger seat for an aircraft, the seat comprising: a fixed portion configured to be connected to a floor of the aircraft, the fixed portion defining a footprint of the seat on a surface of the floor; a movable connection assembly engaged to the fixed portion and movable with respect thereto; a seat pan frame; and a support structure interconnecting the seat pan frame to the movable connection assembly, the support structure including a front support member pivotally connected to a front end of the seat pan frame, the front support member including a respective strut on each side of the seat pan frame, each respective strut having a bottom end connected to the movable connection assembly and an opposed top end located under the seat pan frame, the bottom end being inwardly, downwardly and rearwardly offset with respect to the top end.
- In particular embodiments, the front support member of the passenger seats described above may further include a respective leg on each side of the seat pan frame, each respective leg having a top end pivotally connected to the seat pan frame and a bottom end rigidly connected to the bottom support or to the movable connection assembly, and wherein on each side of the seat pan frame the top end of the respective strut is rigidly connected to the respective leg, the respective strut extending inwardly from the respective leg. In particular embodiments, such a seat may include any one or any suitable combination of the following:
-
- the bottom end of the respective strut is located forwardly of the bottom end of the respective leg;
- the legs are parallel to each other;
- the respective leg includes a portion having a thickness smaller than that of a remainder of the respective leg.
- In particular embodiments, the passenger seats described above may include any one or any suitable combination of the following:
-
- the front support member includes a transverse rod connected to the top end of each respective strut;
- a lower backrest member is pivotally connected to a rear end of the seat pan frame at a first location, and the support structure further includes a support arm having a top end pivotally connected to the lower backrest member at a second location spaced from the first location, the support arm having a bottom end pivotally connected to the bottom support or the movable connection assembly;
- the bottom support or movable connection assembly includes a swivel assembly having a first portion configured to have a fixed orientation with respect to the floor and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion, the bottom end of the respective strut connected to the second portion;
- the bottom support or fixed portion includes rails configured to have a fixed position with respect to the floor and the movable connection assembly is slidingly engaged to the rails.
- In a further aspect, there is provided a method of supporting a seat pan frame of a passenger seat above a floor of an aircraft, the method comprising: connecting a bottom support of the seat to the floor; and connecting the seat pan frame to the bottom support with a support structure including pivotally connecting a front end of the seat pan frame with a front support member of the support structure, the front support member including struts rigidly connected to the bottom support and each strut extending simultaneously upwardly, outwardly and frontwardly from the bottom support.
- In a particular embodiment, the method further comprises pivotally connecting the seat pan frame to a backrest frame, pivotally connecting the backrest frame to a support arm, and pivotally connecting the support arm to the bottom support.
- For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic tridimensional view of an aircraft; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the a seat which can be used in an aircraft such as shown inFIG. 1 , in accordance with a particular embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic tridimensional view of the seat ofFIG. 2 in accordance with a particular embodiment; and -
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the seat ofFIG. 3 , including a footrest shown in various positions. - Referring to the drawings and more particularly to
FIG. 1 , an aircraft is shown at 1 and is generally described to illustrate some components for reference purposes in the present disclosure. The aircraft 1 has afuselage 2 having a fore end at which a cockpit is located, and an aft end supporting a tail assembly, with the cabin generally located between the cockpit and the tail assembly. The tail assembly comprises avertical stabilizer 3 with a rudder, andhorizontal stabilizers 4 with elevators. The tail assembly has a fuselage-mounted tail, but other configurations may also be used for the aircraft 1, such as cruciform, T-tail, etc.Wings 5 project laterally from the fuselage. The aircraft 1 has engines 6 supported by thewings 5, although the engines 6 could also be mounted to thefuselage 2. The aircraft 1 is shown as a jet-engine aircraft, but may also be a propeller aircraft. It is also understood that althoughFIG. 1 shows a commercial aircraft, the aircraft 1 may alternately be any other type of aircraft, including, but not limited to, a business aircraft or a private aircraft. - Referring to
FIG. 2-4 , apassenger seat 10 in accordance with a particular embodiment is shown. Thepassenger seat 10 is configured to be used, for example, in the cabin of an aircraft 1 such as shown inFIG. 1 . In an embodiment, theseat 10 is mounted to thefloor structure 7 in order to position an occupant of theseat 10 in an aft-facing direction. By “aft-facing”, it is understood that theseat 10 is mounted in thefuselage 2 such that the front end of theseat 10 is oriented toward the aft end of the aircraft 1 which supports the tail assembly. In an alternate embodiment, theseat 10 is mounted in thefuselage 2 such that the front end of theseat 10 is oriented toward the fore end of the aircraft 1 at which the cockpit is located. Thepassenger seat 10 could alternately be any other suitable type of aircraft seat, or be used in any other suitable type of vehicle. - In the present disclosure, including claims, it is understood that the expressions “front”, “forward”, “forwardly”, “rear”, “rearwardly” and other similar positional descriptors are used to define the relative location of a component of the
seat 10 with respect to other components of theseat 10, where the surface(s) of theseat 10 in contact with the occupant in the taxi, take-off and landing (TTOL) configuration of theseat 10 correspond to the front of the seat, and where the opposed surface(s) of the seat facing away from the occupant correspond to the rear of theseat 10. It is however understood that depending on the orientation of theseat 10 within the aircraft 1, the front of theseat 10 may be facing toward a front, a rear, a side, etc. of the aircraft 1. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 2 , theseat 10 generally includes abottom support 12 configured to be connected to afloor 7 of the aircraft, for example to floor beams interconnected to thefuselage 2, aseat pan frame 14 supporting a seat pan (not shown), and abackrest frame 16 supporting a backrest (not shown). Thebottom support 12 defines a footprint F of theseat 10 along a surface of thefloor 7, and includes a fixedportion 9 configured to be connected to thefloor 7 and amovable connection assembly 11 engaged to thefixed portion 9 and movable with respect thereto. In the embodiment shown, thefixed portion 9 includes rails attached to thefloor structure 7, and themovable connection assembly 11 is slidingly engaged to the rails and includes aswivel assembly 8. Theswivel assembly 8 includes afirst portion 8 a slidable with respect to the fixedportion 9 and configured to have a fixed orientation with respect to the floor and asecond portion 8 b rotatable relative to thefirst portion 8 a. Thesecond portion 8 b extends forwardly from thefirst portion 8 a so as to be supported in a cantilevered manner from thefirst portion 8 a. Theseat pan frame 14 andbackrest frame 16 are connected to thebottom support 12, and more particularly in the embodiment shown to thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8, by asupport structure 15 which is described in greater detail below. Accordingly, theseat pan frame 14 is pivotable via theswivel assembly 8 from a neutral position (as shown), and is slidable via themovable connection assembly 11 between a forwardmost position and a rearwardmost position (as shown). In a particular embodiment, the neutral, rearwardmost position corresponds to the TTOL position. - In a particular embodiment, the
seat 10 corresponds to or is similar to the seat described in U.S. provisional application No. 62/608,717 filed Dec. 21, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein. It is however understood that the configuration of thebottom support 12 shown here is exemplary only and that any other suitable type of bottom support may alternately be used, including, but not limited to, bottom supports including pivoting attachments, sliding attachments, and fixed attachments. - Although not shown, the seat pan and backrest may include any material suitable for providing appropriate support and comfort to the occupant, including, but not limited to, suitable cushioning materials which will not be further described herein. The
support structure 15 and interconnection between theseat pan frame 14 andbackrest frame 16 allow for theseat 10 to be selectively configurable between the TTOL configuration (shown) and a reclined configuration (not shown). - Still referring to
FIG. 2 , thebackrest frame 16 has anupper backrest member 16 a supporting the backrest, and alower backrest member 16 b extending downwardly from a bottom end of theupper backrest member 16 a. In the embodiment shown, the upper andlower backrest members lockable pivot connection 18, e.g. a selectively lockable revolute joint. In the present disclosure, including claims, the term “revolute joint” is intended to designate a pivot connection between two members which allows relative pivoting motion between the two members about an axis of rotation without allowing relative translation between the two members, i.e. the axis of rotation has a fixed location with respect to each of the two members. Examples of revolute joints include, but are not limited to, a hinge joint, a pin joint, and a folding joint. - The
pivot connection 18 between the upper andlower backrest members lower backrest members lower backrest members pivot connection 18 may include, for example, a lock based on a spring-loaded plunger mechanism; any other suitable mechanism may alternately be used. In the embodiment shown, the upper andlower backrest members lower backrest members - In the embodiment shown, the
backrest frame 16 supports aheadrest 20 which is slidingly engaged to a top of theupper backrest member 16 a. Theheadrest 20 may include apivotable portion 20 a allowing for further adjustment of the position of theheadrest 20. It is understood that the headrest configuration shown is exemplary only, and that any other suitable headrest configuration may alternately be used; alternately, the adjustable headrest may be omitted. - The rear end of the
seat pan frame 14 is pivotally connected to thelower backrest member 16 b by apivot connection 30, which in the embodiment shown is defined by another revolute joint. Thepivot connection 30 between theseat pan frame 14 and thelower backrest member 16 b is offset from thepivot connection 18 between thebackrest members - In the embodiment shown, the
support structure 15 includes a biasing and/or damping member, for example agas spring 32 or any suitable type of linear actuator located under theseat pan frame 14. In the embodiment shown, thegas spring 32 has one end pivotally connected to thelower backrest member 16 b and to the rear end of theseat pan frame 14 at theirpivot connection 30. For example and referring toFIG. 3 , thelower backrest member 16 b includes two laterally spacedinterconnected portions 16 b′ with the rear end of theseat pan frame 14 extending therebetween. Arod 34 defines the revolute joint of thepivot connection 30 between the lowerbackrest member portions 16 b′ and the rear end of theseat pan frame 14, and the end of thegas spring 32 is pivotally engaged to a central portion of therod 34. - The opposed end of the
gas spring 32 is pivotally connected to thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8 by apivot connection 36, which in the embodiment shown is also defined as a revolute joint. In the embodiment shown, thegas spring 32 is connected toward the front of theswivel assembly 8, for example near a front extremity of thesecond portion 8 b at a location forwardly offset from the engagement between the first andsecond portions connection 36 of thegas spring 32 with theswivel assembly 8 remains forward of itsconnection 30 with thelower backrest member 16 b andseat pan frame 14 throughout the motion ofbackrest frame 16 andseat pan frame 14. Other configurations are of course possible. - Referring back to
FIG. 2 , in the embodiment shown, thesupport structure 15 further includes asupport arm 24 interconnecting thebackrest frame 16 to thebottom support 12. Thesupport arm 24 has one end pivotally connected to thelower backrest member 16 b by apivot connection 28 defined by another revolute joint. In the embodiment shown, thepivot connection 30 of thelower backrest member 16 b with theseat pan frame 14 is located intermediate thepivot connections lower backrest member 16 b with theupper backrest member 16 a and with thesupport arm 24. Referring now toFIG. 3 , in a particular embodiment, thesupport arm 24 has an inverted U shape defined by a transverse upper member from which extend two laterally spacedrods 24 a. Thepivot connection 28 between thesupport arm 24 and thelower backrest member 16 b is defined by separate pivots interconnecting the end of each of the lowerbackrest member portions 16 b′ to the respective one of therods 24 a, for example adjacent the transverse member. - The
rods 24 a of thesupport arm 24 each have an end opposed to the transverse member, and connected to thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8 via anotherpivot connection 26, which in the embodiment shown is also defined as a revolute joint. Thepivot connection 26 between thesupport arm 24 and thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8 is located toward the rear of theswivel assembly 8, for example adjacent to or in alignment with the engagement between the first andsecond portions swivel assembly 8. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 , a frontmost portion of thesupport structure 15 is defined by afront support member 38. Thefront support member 38 has a top end connected to the front end of theseat pan frame 14 via apivot connection 22, which in the embodiment shown is also defined by a revolute joint. Thefront support member 38 has an opposed bottom end connected to thebottom support 12, more particularly to thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8, forwardly of thepivot connection 26 between thesupport arm 24 and theswivel assembly 8. In the embodiment shown, the connection between thefront support member 38 and thebottom support 12 is a rigid connection, i.e. allowing no relative motion between thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8 and thefront support member 38. - In the embodiment shown and as can be best seen in
FIG. 3 , thefront support member 38 includes aleg 40 on each side of theseat pan frame 14. Thelegs 40 each have atop end 40 t pivotally connected to the front end of the seat pan frame by thepivot connection 22 defined for example by arod 42. The front end of theseat pan frame 14 is received between the twolegs 40 which extend in parallel side planes, and which are parallel to each other; alternately, thelegs 40 may be non-parallel. Eachleg 40 has abottom end 40 b rigidly connected to thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8, for example at a location slightly forward of the engagement between theportions swivel assembly 8. In the embodiment shown, eachleg 40 includes a recessedportion 40 r having a thickness smaller than that of the remainder of theleg 40, such as to define for example an I-beam type cross-section at and around the recessedportion 40 r; such a configuration may allow for example to reduce an overall weight of theseat 10. Other configurations are also possible. - The
front support member 38 also includes astrut 44 on each side of theseat pan frame 14. Eachstrut 44 has abottom end 44 b rigidly connected to thesecond portion 8 b of theswivel assembly 8, for example forwardly of the bottom ends 40 b of thelegs 40. Eachstrut 44 also has an opposedtop end 44 t located under theseat pan frame 14 and rigidly connected to a respective one of thelegs 40, downwardly of thepivot connection 22. It can be seen that thebottom end 44 b of eachstrut 44 is inwardly, downwardly and rearwardly offset with respect to itstop end 44 t. In other words, thestruts 44 extend simultaneously upwardly, outwardly and frontwardly from thebottom support 12 to therespective leg 40. Thestruts 44 are thus not parallel to each other, and the distance between the bottom ends 44 b of thestruts 44 is smaller than the distance between the bottom ends 40 b of thelegs 40. - In the embodiment shown, the
front support member 38 also includes atransverse rod 46 extending perpendicularly to thelegs 40 and interconnecting the top ends 44 t of thestruts 44. Thetransverse rod 46 is located under theseat pan frame 14 and rearwardly offset from the front end of theseat pan frame 14. It is understood that alternately, thetransverse rod 46 may be replaced by any other suitable type of transverse connection including, but not limited to, a beam, truss or machined part. Moreover, the transverse connection may be located at any other suitable location, including, but not limited to, anywhere between a center of thestruts 44 and theirtop end 44 t. - In a particular embodiment, the orientation of the
struts 44 allows for thesupport structure 15, and more particularly thefront support member 38, to have a truss architecture; thestruts 44 extend at a non-zero angle with respect to parallel vertical planes aligned with the sides of the seat pan frame 14 (vertical planes parallel to the plane ofFIGS. 2 and 4 ), to the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of the seat pan frame 14 (seeFIG. 4 ), and to an horizontal plane (plane parallel to the floor 7). In the embodiment shown, this allows for thesupport structure 15 to have sufficient strength so that thebottom support 12 of theseat 10 can have a footprint F which is reduced when compared to the dimensions of theseat pan frame 14, which may allow space-savings and weight-savings for theseat 10. Moreover, in a particular embodiment the reduced footprint F allows for more volume for the occupant's feet, such as for example an empty space under the front of theseat pan frame 14, as described in more detail further below. - In a particular embodiment, the truss architecture defines an optimized path for load transfer. This is in contrast with prior seat designs where the load path and geometry were considered and designed in a two-dimensional manner, i.e. flat on the centerline of the seat, offset in both directions from the centerline so the seat pan and backrest could be supported, and then linked together with cross beams perpendicular to the side structures. As opposed to the prior perpendicular members that support most of the loads as shear loads, the angled struts 44 allow for the
front support member 38 to work in compression or in tension, significantly reducing or substantially eliminating shear loads and bending moments. This may allow for thesupport structure 15 to bear stronger loads for a same amount of material when compared to traditional, “two-dimensional” designs. - In a particular embodiment, the
front support member 38 and remainder of thesupport structure 15 are sized and oriented by taking into consideration a desired empty space under the front of theseat pan 14 and the direction and amplitude of the various loads on the seat during use. - It is understood that the configuration of the
front support member 38 shown is exemplary only, and that other configurations are possible; for example, thelegs 40 may have a different configuration or be replaced by any other structure providing a suitable connection between thestruts 44 and the front end of theseat pan frame 14. - Referring particularly to
FIG. 4 , the configuration of thesupport structure 15, with the top end of the front support member 38 (e.g.top end 40 t of the legs 40) forwardly offset from its bottom end (e.g.bottom end struts 44 and/or legs 40) allows for the front end of theseat pan frame 14 to be forwardly offset from thefront end 12 f of thebottom support 12. Accordingly, an empty space E is defined between theseat pan frame 14 and thefloor 7; the empty space E is defined across a width of theseat 10, forwardly of the support structure 15 (e.g. forwardly of thelegs 40 and struts 44), forwardly of thebottom support 12, and rearwardly of the front end of the seat pan frame 14 (e.g. rearwardly of the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of the seat pan frame 14). The space E is defined as “empty” because no element of theseat 10 extends in it; at any height from the floor, the rear border of the empty space E is defined by the forwardmost element of the seat at that height. - In a particular embodiment, the empty space E under the front end of the
seat pan frame 14 and defined across the width of the seat allows for leg room under theseat 10 for the occupant leaning forward in theseat 10, which may improve comfort and for example reduce the risk of back pain. In contrast, some prior seats have space under the seat pan frame that does not extend across the width of the seat but rather between structure forming the sides of the seats (e.g. legs); such structure extending on each side of and bordering the space may impede free movement of the occupant's legs under the seat. - In the embodiment shown where the
bottom support 12 includes theswivel assembly 8, the empty space E is defined under theseat pan frame 14 at least when the seat is in the neutral position, i.e. with the front of theseat pan frame 14 having the same orientation as the front of thebottom support 12, which in a particular embodiment corresponds to the TTOL configuration. In the embodiment shown where themovable connection assembly 11 is slidingly engaged to therails 9, the front end of theseat pan frame 14 remains forwardly offset from the front end of thebottom support 12 in the rearwardmost position of theseat pan frame 14, so that the empty space E is present in the rearwardmost position, which in a particular embodiment corresponds to the TTOL configuration. Accordingly, the empty space E under the front end of theseat pan frame 14 is present and the corresponding leg room under the seat pan is available for the occupant in the TTOL configuration. - Still referring to
FIG. 4 , in a particular embodiment theseat 10 includes a footrest. Thefootrest 50 is attached to the remainder of theseat 10 so that afirst end 50 a of thefootrest 50 is adjacent the front end of theseat pan frame 14, and thefootrest 50 is pivotable about a pivot defined at or in proximity of thatfirst end 50 a. For example, thefirst end 50 a may be pivotally connected to the front end of theseat pan frame 14 via a revolute joint. Other configurations are also possible. - The opposed
second end 50 b of thefootrest 50 is spaced from the front end of theseat pan frame 14. When thefootrest 50 is in anextended configuration 50E, thesecond end 50 b of thefootrest 50 is located forwardly of the front end of theseat pan frame 14. When the footrest is in a retractedconfiguration 50R, thesecond end 50 b is located under theseat pan frame 14 and aft of thefirst end 50 a, i.e. thefootrest 50 is folded so as to be partially or completely contained behind the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of theseat pan frame 14. The empty space E is thus defined forwardly of and under thefootrest 50R in the retracted configuration, so that the occupant of theseat 10 has leg room under the front end of theseat 10 despite the presence of the retractedfootrest 50R. - In a particular embodiment, the retracted
footrest 50R extends at an angle θ of more than 10 degrees with respect to the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of theseat pan frame 14; in a particular embodiment, the angle θ of retractedfootrest 50R is about 45 degrees with respect to the vertical plane V. Other values are also possible. - In a particular embodiment and still referring to
FIG. 4 , a length LE of the empty space E defined along the surface of thefloor 7 from the front of the retractedfootrest 50R to the vertical plane V aligned with the front end of theseat pan frame 14 when the seat is in its rearwardmost (TTOL) position corresponds to at least 25%, for example from 25% to 50%, of a length LF of the seat pan frame and/or of a length LS of the seat pan (e.g. cushion) supported by theseat pan frame 14. Other values are also possible. - In a particular embodiment and in use, supporting the
seat pan frame 14 includes connecting thebottom support 12 to thefloor 7, and connecting theseat pan frame 14 to thebottom support 12 with thesupport structure 15 including pivotally connecting the front end of theseat pan frame 14 with thefront support member 38, where thefront support member 38 includes thestruts 44 rigidly connected to thebottom support 12 and each extending simultaneously upwardly, outwardly and frontwardly from thebottom support 12. In a particular embodiment, supporting theseat pan frame 14 also includes pivotally connecting theseat pan frame 14 to thebackrest frame 16, pivotally connecting thebackrest frame 16 to thesupport arm 24, and pivotally connecting thesupport arm 24 to thebottom support 12. - In a particular embodiment, leg room is provided for the occupant of the
seat 10 by connecting theseat pan frame 14 to thebottom support 12 with thesupport structure 15 so that the front end of theseat pan frame 14 is forwardly offset from the front end of thebottom support 12. This includes connecting the frontmost portion of thesupport structure 15 to the front end of theseat pan frame 14 at a first location and to thebottom support 12 at a second location rearwardly offset from the first location, such that the empty space E is defined between theseat pan frame 14 and thefloor 7, forwardly of thesupport structure 15, forwardly of thebottom support 12, and rearwardly of the front end of theseat pan frame 14. In a particular embodiment, afootrest 50 is provided and retracted under theseat pan frame 14 so that the empty space E is defined forwardly of the retractedfootrest 50R. - The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.
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-
2018
- 2018-12-18 CN CN201880087221.3A patent/CN111954620B/en active Active
- 2018-12-18 EP EP18891000.4A patent/EP3728034A4/en active Pending
- 2018-12-18 US US16/955,956 patent/US11447254B2/en active Active
- 2018-12-18 CA CA3101133A patent/CA3101133A1/en active Pending
- 2018-12-18 WO PCT/CA2018/051617 patent/WO2019119126A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CA3101133A1 (en) | 2019-06-27 |
CN111954620A (en) | 2020-11-17 |
EP3728034A4 (en) | 2021-11-03 |
EP3728034A1 (en) | 2020-10-28 |
CN111954620B (en) | 2024-04-12 |
WO2019119126A1 (en) | 2019-06-27 |
US11447254B2 (en) | 2022-09-20 |
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